Flight attendants through the ages

Ruth Carol Taylor became the first African-American flight attendant in the United States in February 1958 on board a Mohawk Airlines flight to New York. She was dismissed six months later, however, because of the airline's marriage ban.

Indeed, until the 1970s most airlines still refused to employ married women (just one of many discriminatory policies). A 1966 New York Times classified ad for stewardesses at Eastern Airlines listed these requirements: "A high school graduate, single (widows and divorcees with no children considered), 20 years of age (girls 19 1/2 may apply for future consideration). 5'2" but no more than 5'9", weight 105 to 135 in proportion to height and have at least 20/40 vision without glasses."